Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
Preview of this weekend’s racing: Grand National 2025
Including races at Aintree and Farringdon’s top six plays for the main event
Runners and riders during the Grand National

Disclaimer: Compulsive gambling can harm your health and relationships, and leave you in serious debt. If you have a problem with gambling and you’d like to stop, support and treatment is available. To find information, support and counselling on gambling addiction, please visit the NHS website: www.bit.ly/NHSGambling

SO HERE we are again 12 months on from I Am Maximus sprinting clear of his rivals in the 2024 Grand National. What last year’s race showed us or rather confirmed to us was that this greatest of races is no longer the massive test of horse and jockey that we have seen down through the years.

It’s four-and-a-quarter miles, not four-and-a-half, the fences on the second circuit take little jumping as the spruce has been knocked off the top of them and we are six horses down from the usual maximum field.

Yes we have to pander to public opinion, which — don’t get me wrong — does matter, but to my eyes still calling it the Grand National degrades the massive test that former jockeys and horses showed us when winning what I now call the old and real Grand National from days gone by.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Humidity ridden by James Doyle goes to post during Goodwood Cup day at Goodwood Racecourse, Chichester, July 29, 2025
Horse racing / 30 August 2025
30 August 2025

Including races at Sandown, Chester, Beverley and Chelmsford

Nostrum ridden by jockey Ryan Moore on their way to winning the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes during Ladies Day of The Boodles July Festival 2023 at Newmarket Racecourse. Picture date: Thursday July 13, 2023
Horse racing / 16 August 2025
16 August 2025

Including races at Ripon, Newbury, Newmarket and Doncaster

Haatem ridden by James Doyle on their way to winning the Wolferton Stakes during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, June 17, 2025
Horse racing / 9 August 2025
9 August 2025

Including races at Haydock, Ascot, Newmarket, Redcar

Connor Beasley riding Commanche Falls on Betfred John O'Gaunt Stakes Day at Haydock Park Racecourse, Newton-le-Willows, June 8, 2024
Horse racing / 2 August 2025
2 August 2025

Including races at Goodwood, Newmarket and Thirsk

Similar stories
Romeo Coolio ridden by Jockey Sam Ewing (centre) on their wa
Racing / 28 December 2024
28 December 2024
Including races at Leopardstown and Newbury
Secret Squirrel ridden by David Bass goes to post before the
Racing / 21 December 2024
21 December 2024
Including races at Ascot and Haydock Park
Broadway Boy ridden by Tom Bellamy coming home to win the Fr
Horse racing / 30 November 2024
30 November 2024
Limerick Lace ridden by Keith Donoghue on their way to winni
Racing / 23 November 2024
23 November 2024
Including races at Haydock, Ascot, Newcastle and Wolverhampton